Near Eastern Studies (NES)Arts and Sciences

Showing 53 results.

Course descriptions provided by the Courses of Study 2014-2015.

NES 1102

Intended for beginners. Provides a thorough grounding in reading, writing, grammar, oral comprehension, and speaking. Students who complete the course are able to function in basic situations ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 1102

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5652 NES 1102   SEM 101

  • For scheduling conflicts, contact instructor.

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 1102

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5653 NES 1102   SEM 102

NES 1202

Provides a thorough grounding in all language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It starts with spoken Arabic and gradually integrates Modern Standard Arabic in the form of listening and ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASRC 1202

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5642 NES 1202   SEM 102

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASRC 1202

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5643 NES 1202   SEM 103

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASRC 1202

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5644 NES 1202   SEM 104

NES 1312

Introduction to Urdu reading and writing. Assumes some knowledge of spoken Hindi-Urdu.  May be taken concurrently with HINDI 1102. view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: URDU 1125

  • 3 Credits Graded

  •  7875 NES 1312   SEM 101

  • Prerequisite: HINDI 1101 or permission of instructor.

NES 1321

Our objective is to produce students literate in Persian. Therefore, writing and reading are taught along with speaking and listening skills. The course is designed with particular focus on communicative ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5590 NES 1321   SEM 101

NES 1331

Intended for students with no experience in Turkish. The goal is to provide a thorough grounding in the Turkish language with an emphasis on communication. Small class size provides intensive practice ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5634 NES 1331   SEM 101

  • Instruction Mode: Distance Learning - WWW
    Course taught through distance learning using video-conferencing technology.

NES 1561

This course will introduce students to the study of the Ottoman Empire from its inception in the 12th century until the modernization reforms of the 19th century. Topics will include an introduction to ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: HIST 1561JWST 1561

  • 4 Credits Graded

  • 15988 NES 1561   LEC 001

NES 1967

An exploration of the nature of the classical Islamic judicial system and notions of justice.  Class discussions will be based upon the close reading of historical materials, including legal documents ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • 18016 NES 1967   SEM 101

NES 1996

This first-year seminar will explore stories of the first century of the history of Islam – beginning with the life of the prophet Muhammad (circa 570 to 632 of the Common Era) and extending through the ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   FWS Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  • 17356 NES 1996   SEM 101

NES 2100

Introduces Hebrew literature and Israeli culture through the use of texts and audiovisual materials. For scheduling conflicts, contact instructor. view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 2100

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5635 NES 2100   SEM 101

  • For scheduling conflicts, contact instructor.

NES 2200

Sequel to NES 1201-NES 1202. Continued development of the four language skills through extensive use of graded materials on a wide variety of topics. Increased attention is given to developing native-like ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASRC 2200

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5673 NES 2200   SEM 101

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASRC 2200

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5674 NES 2200   SEM 102

NES 2202

This course is designed to develop competence in Urdu reading and writing for students with a first-year knowledge of Hindi and knowledge of Urdu script. May be taken concurrently with Intermediate ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: URDU 2226

  • 3 Credits Graded

  •  7614 NES 2202   LEC 001

  • Prerequisite: URDU 2225 or permission of instructor.

NES 2204

This course is designed for students who are interested in reading the language of the Qur'an with accuracy and understanding. The first week (4 classes) will be devoted to an introduction of the history ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASRC 2204RELST 2204

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8419 NES 2204   SEM 101

NES 2322

Course material is drawn entirely from authentic Persian printed and audio-video sources created for use by native Persian speakers. Besides the readings included in the textbook, we will draw material ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5591 NES 2322   SEM 101

NES 2575

This course will survey the cultic practices and beliefs of ancient Babylonia and Assyria, the two major civilizations of Mesopotamia. We will examine the major myths of this region, e.g., Ishtar's Descent ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 2575NES 6575RELST 2575

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8180 NES 2575   LEC 001

NES 2668

The course surveys the history and culture of pharaonic Egypt from its prehistoric origins down to the early first millennium bce. Within a chronological framework, the following themes or topics will ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ARKEO 2668JWST 2668

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  8176 NES 2668   LEC 001

NES 2670

This lecture class will explore the socio-cultural history of modern Egypt from the late 18th century to the 21st century "Arab Spring." We will explore Egyptian history under the Ottomans and the Mamluks, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASRC 2670HIST 2672

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15586 NES 2670   LEC 001

NES 2695

This course offers an introduction to the history of Christianity from the first century through the seventeenth and perhaps a bit beyond. Our emphasis will be on the diversity of Christian traditions, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: CLASS 2636JWST 2695RELST 2695

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15591 NES 2695   LEC 001

NES 2724

The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) is a repository of ancient Israelite religious, political, social, historical, and literary traditions. For the modern reader these ancient traditions are often obscured ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 2724RELST 2724

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15608 NES 2724   LEC 001

NES 2788

What makes a heroine heroic? What makes a villain dastardly? In what ways do they differ? In what ways are they similar? Are the values that attach to heroism and villainy uniform across cultures? What ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: COML 2755

  • 3 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15622 NES 2788   LEC 001

NES 3102

This course is a continuation of work done in NES 3101/JWST 3101, with less emphasis on the study of grammar. We will read and discuss texts of cultural relevance using articles published in Israeli newspapers, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 3102

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5638 NES 3102   SEM 101

  • For scheduling conflicts, contact instructor.

NES 3105

This course is intended to continue the development of all aspects of the language. Emphasis, however, will be placed on speaking skills and understanding by using text material relevant to Israeli contemporary ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 3105

  • 2 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7578 NES 3105   SEM 101

  • Course may be repeated for credit.

NES 3202

Introduces students to authentic, unedited Arabic language materials ranging from poems, short stories, and plays to newspaper articles dealing with social, political, and cultural issues. Emphasis is ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: ASRC 3101

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7869 NES 3202   SEM 101

NES 3270

Ancient Byzantion, rebuilt and renamed by the Roman emperor Constantine the Great, raised by his successors to be the capital of a "Byzantine" empire, object of desire for travelers and crusaders, crowning ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  • 15980 NES 3270   LEC 001

NES 3511

Structured as a seminar, this course addresses ritual performances as expressed by Muslim communities across Southeast Asia (in both minority and majority contexts), from performativity of the five pillars ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  • 17551 NES 3511   SEM 101

NES 3519

In the conditions of strict censorship and numerous limitations on various forms of political organization and activism, literature and cinema, especially Iran's internationally acclaimed art cinematography, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15547 NES 3519   LEC 001

NES 3655

In the media we read about conflict in Iraq between Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds; strife between Muslims and Copts in Egypt; rebellion in Syria against the ruling Alawite minority; and violence between Israelis ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 3655

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15612 NES 3655   LEC 001

NES 3661

This course is an intense introduction for undergraduate and graduate students to the earliest written language, Sumerian, and its cuneiform script. Each week will feature grammar lessons and a reading ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  • 15616 NES 3661   SEM 101

NES 3700

The objective of this course is to help students develop all four communicative skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) through the use of Arabic films coupled with other structured materials ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15549 NES 3700   LEC 001

NES 3740

In the Middle Ages, people traveled for all many reasons: for adventure, for commerce, on pilgrimage, for conquest. We will read the accounts of medieval travelers in order better to understand the motives ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: COML 3724JWST 3740MEDVL 3740

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15645 NES 3740   LEC 001

NES 3864

National security in general and the security sector (the military and the other security services) in particular, are critical factors when attempting to comprehend both recent and past developments in ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: GOVT 3264

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 18057 NES 3864   LEC 001

NES 4214

The Thousand and One Nights is a collection of "Oriental" stories of uncertain date and authorship, which are told by the brave and wise " Shehrezad" in an attempt to save the lives of other women of her ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15548 NES 4214   SEM 101

NES 4225

In this course we'll compare specific aspects of the phonology, morphology, syntax and lexicon of the Semitic languages. In phonology, we'll examine certain phonological phenomena like sound correspondences, ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: LING 4225

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 18037 NES 4225   SEM 001

  • Prerequisite: one introductory linguistics course and familiarity with two or more Semitic languages.

NES 4525

Following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the first Arab-Israeli war, over 150,000 Palestinian Arabs remained in Israel. Referred to by the Arab media as "1948 Arabs" or "Arabs within" ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 4525

  • 4 Credits Graded

  • 15614 NES 4525   SEM 101

NES 4560

Seminar offering advanced Near Eastern Studies students the opportunity to read and discuss the range of theories and methods that have been employed by scholars in the interdisciplinary area of Near Eastern ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  5821 NES 4560   SEM 101

NES 4618

An examination of Islamic history from 600-750, with special attention to historiography and interpretive issues. Topics to be discussed will include: Arabia and the Near East before Islam; the collection ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: HIST 4614RELST 4618

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15659 NES 4618   SEM 101

NES 4622

Two places have dominated the headlines over the past year: Ukraine and Syria/Iraq. Both have deep roots in the history of the Ottoman Empire's slow diminution and Russia's expansion starting in the 18th ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: HIST 4522

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 16743 NES 4622   SEM 101

NES 4628

What is "Gnosticism" and why has it come to be so hotly debated among scholars and in our contemporary media? What is the Gospel of Judas and are its ideas "heretical"? Who wrote the Gospel of Thomas and ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: CLASS 4636JWST 4628RELST 4628

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15604 NES 4628   SEM 101

NES 4634

Structured as a seminar, this course explores various aspects of Shi'i Islam (in cultural, literary, intellectual, ritual, legal, and political terms) in its historical emergence and contemporary manifestations ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  • 17552 NES 4634   SEM 101

NES 4641

It is hard to think of a region in the world that changed more drastically during the course of World War I, than that of the Middle East. For the war not only spelled the end of an empire that had united ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: HIST 4544HIST 6544NES 6641

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 16771 NES 4641   SEM 101

NES 4700

Topic for spring 2015: Narratives of Medieval Art view course details

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Syllabi: none
  • Topic: Narratives of Medieval Art

  • 16505 NES 4700   SEM 101

NES 4776

The Babylonian Talmud has long been viewed as the central text of post-Biblical Judaism. Yet little is known about who wrote it and when it was written. Since the Talmud is an extremely difficult text ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: CLASS 4637JWST 4776RELST 4776

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 15654 NES 4776   SEM 101

NES 4913

This extraordinary figure died in 1941, and his death is emblematic of the intellectual depradations of Nazism. Yet since World War II, his influence, his reputation, and his fascination for scholars in ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  • 15880 NES 4913   SEM 101

NES 4992

For undergraduates who wish to obtain research experience or do extensive reading on a special topic. Students select a topic in consultation with the faculty member who has agreed to supervise the course. ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7429 NES 4992   IND 602

    • TBA
    • Brann, R

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7430 NES 4992   IND 603

    • TBA
    • Chami, Y

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7431 NES 4992   IND 604

    • TBA
    • Fahmy, Z

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7432 NES 4992   IND 605

    • TBA
    • Haines-Eitzen, K

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7433 NES 4992   IND 607

    • TBA
    • Monroe, C

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7434 NES 4992   IND 608

    • TBA
    • Monroe, L

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7435 NES 4992   IND 611

    • TBA
    • Powers, D

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7436 NES 4992   IND 612

    • TBA
    • Scharf, N

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7437 NES 4992   IND 613

    • TBA
    • Shoer, S

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7438 NES 4992   IND 614

    • TBA
    • Starr, D

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7439 NES 4992   IND 615

    • TBA
    • Toorawa, S

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7440 NES 4992   IND 616

    • TBA
    • Younes, M

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7531 NES 4992   IND 618

    • TBA
    • Gocheleishvili, I

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7702 NES 4992   IND 621

    • TBA
    • Tenney, J

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-6 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7866 NES 4992   IND 622

    • TBA
    • Khatchadourian, L

NES 4998

Each fall, a small number of highly qualified seniors enter the Near Eastern Studies Honors Program. The Honors Program is open to NES majors who have done superior work and who wish to devote a substantial ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Multi-Term

  •  7544 NES 4998   IND 601

    • TBA
    • Powers, D

  • NES 4998 is the FIRST course in the Honors two-part sequence.

NES 4999

Each fall, a small number of highly qualified seniors enter the Near Eastern Studies Honors Program. The Honors Program is open to NES majors who have done superior work and who wish to devote a substantial ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 4 Credits Graded

  •  6721 NES 4999   IND 601

    • TBA
    • Powers, D

  • NES 4999 is the SECOND course in the Honors two-part sequence.

NES 6575

No description available. view course details

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Syllabi: none
  • 18043 NES 6575   LEC 001

NES 6641

It is hard to think of a region in the world that changed more drastically during the course of World War I, than that of the Middle East.  For the war not only spelled the end of an empire that had united ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: HIST 4544HIST 6544NES 4641

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 16773 NES 6641   SEM 101

NES 6661

This course is an intense introduction for undergraduate and graduate students to the earliest written language, Sumerian, and its cuneiform script. Each week will feature grammar lessons and a reading ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none
  • 15619 NES 6661   SEM 101

NES 6700

Topic for spring 2015: Narratives of Medieval Art view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none
  • Topic: Narratives of Medieval Art

  •  9047 NES 6700   SEM 101

NES 6740

We will read a selection of medieval travel accounts, paying special attention to the ways in which travelers observed, interacted with, and described the people they encountered and the places they visited. ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  • 15649 NES 6740   SEM 101

NES 6776

This course is offered as a companion to NES 4776 for an additional credit.  During this hour, we will read the texts presented each week (during the seminar portion of Talmud and the Art of Reading) in ... view course details

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Combined with: JWST 6776

  • 1 Credit Stdnt Opt

  • 16900 NES 6776   SEM 101

  • Students must be enrolled in NES 4776 in order to register for this class.

NES 6992

For graduate students who wish to do intensive reading on a focused topic. Students select a topic in consultation with the faculty member that has agreed to supervise the course. view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  6722 NES 6992   IND 601

    • TBA
    • Starr, D

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  6866 NES 6992   IND 602

    • TBA
    • Monroe, L

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  6869 NES 6992   IND 603

    • TBA
    • Toorawa, S

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  6875 NES 6992   IND 604

    • TBA
    • Haines-Eitzen, K

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7441 NES 6992   IND 605

    • TBA
    • Monroe, C

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7442 NES 6992   IND 606

    • TBA
    • Brann, R

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7443 NES 6992   IND 607

    • TBA
    • Chami, Y

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7444 NES 6992   IND 608

    • TBA
    • Fahmy, Z

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7445 NES 6992   IND 609

    • TBA
    • Scharf, N

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7446 NES 6992   IND 611

    • TBA
    • Younes, M

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7447 NES 6992   IND 613

    • TBA
    • Powers, D

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7867 NES 6992   IND 614

    • TBA
    • Tenney, J

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 1-4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  7868 NES 6992   IND 615

    • TBA
    • Khatchadourian, L

NES 7913

This extraordinary figure died in 1941, and his death is emblematic of the intellectual depradations of Nazism. Yet since World War II, his influence, his reputation, and his fascination for scholars ... view course details

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none
  • 15883 NES 7913   SEM 101